Lock for slidably mounted closures



Jan. 3, 1961 K. M. CHRISTENSEN ,7

LOCK FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTED CLOSURES I Filed Dec. 8, 195a 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 25 y Z4 @WM .ATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1961 K. M. CHRISTENSEN 2,966,706

' LOCK FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTED CLOSURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1958 INVENTOR. AZ/f/Y/fi 4 1. 6/7/75/2 nae 7 A TTORNEY.

United States Patent LOCK FOR SLIDABLY MOUNTED CLOSURES Kenneth M. Christensen, Hartford City, Ind., assignor to Overhead Door Corporation, Hartford City, Ind.

Filed Dec. s, 1958, Ser. No. 778,797

13 Claims. (CI. 20-19 This invention relates to a. lock for slidable closures such, for example, as upwardly acting doors.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a lock for slidable closures which is adapted to clampingly hold the closure against a sill or other abutment and which also acts during the initial opening movement of the lock to thrust the closure away from the sill or other abutment.

Second, to provide a lock structure which is adjustable to adapt to substantial variations in structure and in installing conditions.

Third, to provide a lock structure having these advantages which is relatively simple in its parts and the parts are capable of withstanding relatively heavy strains.

Objects relating to details and economies of this invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary front elevational view of an upwardly acting door structure, the door structure shown mainly conventionally, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the parts with the bolt in partially actuated position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. l with the bolt in keeper engaging lock position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the parts with the bolt in retracted position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view corresponding to that of Fig. 3 with the parts in partially opened position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention as embodied in an upwardly acting door of the sectional type in which 1 represents a door frame, 2 the sill thereof and 3, 4, 5 and 6' the door sections which are hingedly connected at their adjacent edges. The guiding means or tracks for the door sections are not shown as they form no part of my invention. The bottom section 6 is provided with a resilient sill engaging seal 7 on its bottom edge.

In the embodiment illustrated the bolt assembly of Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive comprises a plate-like supporting member 8 provided with a forwardly projecting flange 9 on its upper edge, a stop 10 at one end and a handle lock designated generally by the numeral 11 at its other end. The supporting member 8 is provided with a centrally disposed pivot 12. The bolt support member 13 is provided with a laterally projecting handle 14 which may be supportedly engaged with the stop 10 when the bolt is in retracted position as shown in Fig. 6, or engaged with the lock 11. as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

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The bolt support member 13 has a transverse slot-like recess 15 extending from the edge thereof opposite that which the handle extends, the recess extending inwardly beyond the pivot 12, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The bolt 16 is disposed with its inner end within the recess and pivotally connected to the support member by the pivot 17 which is disposed radially of the pivot member 12.

The bolt 16 is provided with a threaded stem portion '18 at its outer end with which the keeper engaging" jaw 19 is threadably engaged for adjustment. The locking nut 20 secures the jaw in its adjusted position and this, in effect, results in a bolt that can, be lengthened or shortened to meet varying conditions.

in the embodiment illustrated the bolt has an offset 21 therein adapted to receive the pivot 12 when the bolt is in fully locked position in which position the bolt support member 12, the pivotal connection 17 for the bolt to the bolt support member and the pivot are in approximate alignment, the pivot 17 however being slightly beyond the dead center. This arrangement of parts also results in a powerful cam-like clamping stress on the, bolt as it is swung to keeper engaging position. The pivot 12 of the support member serves, as a fulcrum for the bolt to swing it to keeper engaging position, the edge 22 of the recess serves as a thrust member. for

swinging the bolt to and holding itin fully retracted position, as is illustrated in Fig. 6.

The keeper 23 is adapted to be positioned on a sill or other abutment against which the closure is seated when closed and has an elongated recess 24 therein adapted to receive the end of the bolt as it swings to and from keep-er engaging position, see Figs. 3 and 4. The keeper is provided with an inwardly facing lug 25 with which the jaw of the bolt engages when the bolt is in locked position. The bottom of the recess in the keeper is desirably curved. With this arrangement of parts when the support member is manipulated to engage the jaw the handle is swung from retracted position, as shown in Fig. 6, to the right which swings the bolt into the keeper, as shown in Fig. 4, and continuing movement in the same direction positions the bolt. jaw under the keeper and forces it into clamping engagement with the jaw of the keeper as shown in Fig. 3.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the opening movement of the lock or bolt not only disengages the bolt from the keeper, but acts to impart an opening thrust to the, door or closure member. That is illustrated in Fig. 7 in which the bolt. is shown in thrust engagement with the bottom of the keeper, and it will be noted that the bolt pivot is positioned so that further opening movement imparts. a thrust upon the bolt resulting. in an opening movement of the closure through the manipulation of the lever 14.

The parts are desirably made of sufficient strength so that a very secure clamping action, results when the parts are swung to locking position and opening thrust results when the parts are swung from locking position, both movements being illustrated inthev drawings. The clamping sealing feature is a highly desirable one for many installations, for example, such as illustrated in the vertically movable door in a truck. The door is sealed at the bottom against the entrance of dirt and water, and the opening thrust frees the door from the jamb or sill and fractures or breaks the door away from ice in event there should be an accumulation of ice.

The flange 9 may be conveniently used as a hand hold for the opening and closing of the door. Further, the door may be locked in closed position if desired. The clamping function of the bolt is important as pointed out as it is practically impossible for an operator to manually push the door into. sealing engagement with handle 31.

3 theksill such as results from the clamping action of the loc The bolt is made adjustable in length so that it may be adjusted to accommodate considerable variations in installation and in the seal member 7 with the bolt in engaged position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the handle may, if desired, be engaged with the locking means Id. The locking means 11 desirably includes the padlock 31, see Fig. 5.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the bolt support member 26 is mounted in the hollow closure member 27 which is provided with a jaw support pivot member 28 having a handle 29 on one end provided with a socket 30 at the other end adapted to receive the removable The bolt structure and its mounting on its support member is substantially the same as described.

The flange 9 overhangs the other parts with the excep- =tion of the handle and constitutes a guard therefor.

While my invention is capable of use, and is desirable for use in a wide variety of relations, it is particularly well adapted for embodiment with the upwardly acting doors of trucks and trailers insuring, in effect, an air sealing engagement thereof with the sill and substantially reduces noise.

I have not illustrated other embodiments or adaptations of my invention which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for slidable adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal on its lower edge, of a bolt means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill and imparting initial opening movement to the closure member comprising a supporting plate mounted on the closure member and provided with a bolt support member pivot, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a laterally projecting handle, said support member having a recess therein opening at its edge opposite said handle and extending inwardly thereof beyond the said pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting keeper engaging jaw on its outer end disposed with its inner end within and laterally supported by the walls of said recess in said support member and pivotally connected thereto in radially spaced relation to its said pivot, the pivot of said support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member i swung to keeper engaging position and also acting to prevent keeper disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when it is in keeper engaging position, and a keeper seated in said sill and having an outwardly facing bolt receiving opening therein and an inwardly facing bolt jaw engaging lug at the inner end of said opening and a bolt thrust member opposed to said lug and with which the bolt is thrustingly engaged on the initial unlocking movement of the bolt and prior to substantial swinging of the bolt.

2. The combination of a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal extending from edge to edge thereof, said closure member having a bolt support member pivot adjacent its sill engaging edge, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, a bolt pivotally mounted on said bolt support member in radially spaced relation to its supporting pivot, said bolt being provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end, a keeper mounted on said sill, said bolt on said support member being disposed so that it swings in an are centered in said support member pivot as the support member is actuated to and from keeper engaging position, the pivotal connection for the bolt to the support member being in substantially the plane of the bolt when the bolt is in keeper engaging position, and a keeper provided with a bolt engaging lug with which the bolt coacts when in such fully actuated position, said keeper being provided with a thrust surface spaced from said lug and with which said bolt has end thrust engagement during the initial unlocking movement of the bolt support member, said bolt support member having a bolt engaging thrust portion which engages the bolt to fully disengage it from said keeper after said thrust actuation thereof.

3. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal on its lower edge, of means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill comprising a bolt support member pivot mounted on said closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, said support member having a transverse recess opening at its edge and extending inwardly beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end disposed with its inner end within said recess in said support member and pivotally connected to said support member in radially spaced relation to its said pivot, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so the thrust thereon is sustained mainly by the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, the pivot of the support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member is swung to keeper engaging position and also coacting with the keeper to prevent disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when in keeper engaging position, the support member having a bolt engaging part which engagesand swing the bolt to retracted position on the bolt disengaging stroke of the support member, said keeper engaging jaw being adjustably mounted on said bolt, and a keeper on said sill having an outwardly facing opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt as it is swung to and from keeper engaging position, said keeper having an inwardly facing lug with which said bolt jaw is lockingly engaged when the bolt support member is in bolt locking position.

4. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal on its lower edge, of means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill comprising a bolt support member pivot mounted on said closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, said support member having a transverse recess opening at its edge and extending inwardly beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end disposed with its inner end within said recess in said support member and pivotally connected to said support member in radially spaced relation to its said pivot, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so the thrust thereon is sustained mainly by the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, the pivot of the support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member is swung to keeper engaging position and also coacting with the keeper to prevent disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when in keeper engaging position, the support member having a bolt engaging part which engages and swings the bolt to retracted position on the bolt disengaging stroke of the support member, and a keeper on said sill having an outwardly facing opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt as it is swung to and from keeper engaging position.

5. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal on its lower edge, of means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill comprising a bolt support member pivot mounted on said closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, said support member having a transverse recess opening at its edge and extending inwardly beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end disposed with its inner end within said recess in said support member and pivotally connected to said support member in radially spaced relation to its said pivot, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so the thrust thereon is sustained mainly by the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, said keeper engaging jaw being adjustably mounted on said bolt, and a keeper on said sill having an outwardly facing opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt as it is swung to and from keeper engaging position, said keeper having an inwardly facing lug with which said bolt jaw is lockingly engaged when the bolt support member is in bolt locking position.

6. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and having a resilient sill engaging seal on its lower edge, of means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill comprising a bolt support member pivot mounted on said closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, said support member having a transverse recess opening at its edge and extending inwardly beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end disposed with its inner end within said recess in said support member and pivotally connected to said support member in radially spaced relation to its said pivot, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so the thrust thereon is sustained mainly by the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, and a keeper on said sill having an outwardly facing opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt as it is swung to and from keeper engaging position.

7. The combination of a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill, a bolt support member pivot carried by said closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keep-er engaging said jaw at its outer end pivotally connected to said bolt support member in radially spaced relation to said pivot, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so it is positioned in substantial alignment with said support member pivot and jaw when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, the pivot of the support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member is swung to keeper engaging position and also coacting with the keeper to prevent disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when in keeper engaging position, the support member having a bolt engaging part which engages and swings the bolt to retracted position on the bolt disengaging stroke of the support member, said keeper engaging jaw being adjustably mounted on said bolt, and a keeper on said sill with which said bolt jaw is lockingly engaged when the bolt support member is in bolt locking position.

8. A lock adapted for a slidable closure comprising a supporting plate provided with a forwardly projecting flange at its upper edge and with a handle stop at one side thereof, a handle locking means at the other side thereof and a bolt support member pivot disposed therebetween, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a laterally projecting handle engageable with said stop or with said locking means, said flange constituting an overhanging guard for said support member, said support member having a transverse slot-like recess opening at its edge opposite said handle and extending. inwardly thereof beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer and disposed with its inner end within and laterally supported by the walls of said re,- cess in said support member and pivotally connected thereto in radially spaced relation to said pivot, the pivot of the suppoit member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member is swung to keeper engaging position and also coacting with the keeper to prevent disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when in keeper engaging position, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so it is above the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, the support member having a bolt engaging abutment which engages and swings the bolt to retracted position on the bolt disengaging stroke of the support member, said keeper engaging jaw having threaded engagement with said bolt, a lock nut threaded on the outer end of said bolt for securing said jaw in its adjusted position thereon, and a coacting keeper having an outwardly facing elongated opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt a it is swung to and from keeper engaging position, said keeper having an inwardly facing lug with which said bolt jaw is lockingly engaged when the bolt support member is in bolt locking position.

9. A lock adapted for a slidable closure comprising a supporting plate provided with a forwardly projecting flange at its uper edge and with a handle stop at one side thereof, a handle locking means at the other side thereof and a bolt support member pivot disposed therebetween, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a laterally projecting handle engageable with said stop or with said locking means, said flange constituting an overhanging guard for said support member, said support member having a transverse slot-like recess opening at its edge opposite said handle and extending inwardly thereof beyond the pivot, a bolt provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw at its outer end disposed with its inner end .within and laterally supported by the walls of said recess in said support member and pivotally connected thereto in radially spaced relation to said pivot, the pivot of the support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the bolt support member is swung to keeper engaging position and also coacting with the keeper to prevent disengaging swinging movement of the bolt when in keeper engaging position, the pivotal connection for the bolt to said support member being disposed so it is above the support member pivot when the support member is actuated to bolt locking position, the support member having a bolt engaging abutment which engages and swings the bolt to retracted position on the bolt disengaging stroke of the support member, and a coacting keeper having an outwardly facing elongated opening receiving the jaw portion of said bolt as it is swung to and from keeper engaging position, said keeper having an inwardly facing lug with which said bolt jaw is lockingly engaged when the bolt support member is in bolt locking position.

10. The combination with a sill and a closure member mounted for sliding adjustment to and from said sill and provided with a resilient seal engaging member extending from across its seal engaging edge, of a bolt means for clampingly securing the closure member to the sill and imparting initial opening movement to the closure member comprising a supporting member mounted on the closure member and provided with a bolt support member pivot, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and provided with a handle, a bolt pivotally connected to said support member in radially spaced relation to its said pivot and provided with a laterally projecting keeper engaging jaw on its outer end, and a keeper seated in said sill and having an outwardly facing bolt receiving opening therein and an inwardly facing bolt jaw engaging lug at the inner end of said opening and a bolt thrust member opposed to said lug and with which the bolt is thrustingly engaged on the initial unlocking movement of the bolt, said bolt support member acting to engage and swing the bolt out of said keeper on continued actuation of said bolt support memberv 11. The combination with a sill having an upwardly facing keeper receiving recess therein, and a closure member mounted for sliding opening and closing movement relative to said sill and having a resilient sill engaging member on its lower edge, a means for clampingly securing said closure member in its closed position and imparting initial opening movement thereto, said means comprising a supporting plate mounted on said closure member adjacent its lower edge, and provided with a bolt support member pivot disposed laterally of and adjacent to the lower edge of the closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and having a handle projecting radially therefrom, said support member and handle thereof being above the lower edge of the door in all positions of adjustment thereof, said support member having a recess opening radially thereof and extending inwardly thereof beyond its said pivot, a bolt supporting pivot disposed on said support member in radially spaced relation to its said supporting pivot, a bolt swingably mounted on said bolt supporting pivot in laterally supported relation to the walls of said recess therein, and provided with a laterally projecting inwardly facing keeper engaging jaw on its swinging end, the pivot of said support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the support member is rotatably adjusted to actuate the bolt to keeper engaging position, said support member provided with a bolt retracting member engaging the bolt to swing it to its fully retracted position above the lower edge of the closure member, said keeper having an upwardly facing bolt receiving recess therein and being provided with an inwardly facing bolt engaging lug at the inner end of its said opening, said supporting plate being provided with a stop for said handle when in its fully opened position and with a lock means engageable with the bolt when it is in its fully retracted position.

12 The combination with a sill having an upwardly facing keeper receiving recess therein, and a closure member mounted for sliding opening and closing movement relative to said sill and having a resilient sill engaging member on its lower edge, a means for clampingly securing said closure member in its closed position and imparting initial opening movement thereto, said means comprising a support mounted on said closure member adjacent its lower edge, and provided with a bolt support member pivot disposed laterally of and adjacent to the lower edge of the closure member, a bolt support member rotatably mounted on said pivot and having a handle, said support member and handle thereof being above the lower edge of the door in all positions of adjustment thereof, said support memberhaving a recess opening radially thereof and extending inwardly thereof beyond its said pivot, a bolt supporting pivot disposed on said support member in radially spaced relation to its said supporting pivot, a bolt swingably mounted on said bolt supporting pivot and provided with a keeper engaging jaw on its swinging end, the pivot of said support member constituting a fulcrum for the bolt as the support member is rotatably adjusted to actuate the bolt to keeper engaging position, said support member provided with a bolt retracting member engaging the bolt to swing it to its fully retracted position above the lower edge of the closure member, said keeper having an upwardly facing bolt receiving recess therein and being provided with an inwardly facing bolt engaging lug at the inner end of its said opening.

13. The combination with a sill having an upwardly facing keeper thereon, and a closure member mounted for sliding opening and closing movement relative to said sill, means for clampingly securing said closure member to the sill in its closed position and imparting initial opening movement thereto comprising a bolt support member mounted on said closure member in upwardly spaced relation to its lower edge and having a pivot'disposed laterally thereof and adiacent the lower edge of the closure member, a manually adjustable bolt support rotatably mounted on said pivot, a bolt supporting pivot disposed on said support member in radially spaced relation to its supporting ivot, and a bolt swingably mounted on said bolt supporting pivot and provided with a keeper engaging jaw on its swinging end, said bolt support having a bolt engaging abutment substantially spaced from said support pivot, the pivot connecting said bolt to said support member being radially spaced from the said support member pivot so that the closure member is forced against the sill on locking adjustment of the bolt and initial opening movement imparted thereto on the disengaging movement of the bolt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,913,725 Schweig June 13, 1933 2,497,982 Deyo Feb. 21, 1950 2,538,385 Schurman Ian. 16, 1951 2,599,511 Dean June 3, 1952 2,821,422 Rainman Jan. 28, 1958 2,860,386 Doeg et a1 Nov. 18, 1958 

